The Presidential Committee on Amnesty has said that militants that want to accept the Federal Government’s amnesty offer must take an oath of renunciation.
In a statement, the Committee said: "To take advantage of the Amnesty, all such persons covered should go to the nearest screening centre, turn in their arms, register, take the oath of renunciation and receive the presidential amnesty and unconditional pardon. Thereafter, these persons are to register for the reintegration programmes."
"In this wise, we urge the militants to be wary of those who argue that the amnesty offer should not be accepted until the area has been developed, the 13 per cent derivation significantly increased and ‘true federalism’ is put in place.
"First, there can be no meaningful development without peace. Second, derivation is a constitutional issue, which requires the prescribed process of amendment and, third, the issue of federalism is not a peculiar Niger Delta matter; it is a matter for every region and all Nigerians. So these cannot be basis for delaying the amnesty offer,"
"For those who may still be harbouring second thoughts, we ask them to follow the example of the MEND leader, Henry Okah who has not only taken the amnesty offer but is today a free citizen of our country and the world".
"After years of armed struggle and having succeeded in drawing the needed attention to the area, it is time for peace which is necessary to build the necessary infrastructure, attract investment and sustainable development".
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